MANCHESTER, N.H. - With the nation's focus now trained on the upcoming presidential primary here, Verizon is the company that news media and candidates' organizations rely on to communicate with the rest of the world.

Since the news media and political teams began descending on New Hampshire to prepare for primary voting on Tuesday, Verizon technicians have installed over 1,000 requested temporary phone lines - at least two to three times the company's normal fall and winter volume of line installations in the state. In addition, the company has installed at least 50 special data and video circuits for news organizations.

"We expected an increased demand for phone lines as the primary got closer, but with the Iowa caucuses completed, we have seen a significant flurry of additional activity from news organizations that have now decided to cover the primary or have sent additional personnel," said Mike Hickey, Verizon New Hampshire president. "In addition, some of the candidates' organizations are now asking for more lines. Of course, we're ready to meet their needs and even extraordinary demands."

Hickey added that based on Verizon's experience with presidential primaries over the last two decades, the company during the last four years has installed new fiber-optic links at some buildings where candidates traditionally hold rallies and other events.

"By pre-positioning some of this advanced fiber-optic technology, we're able to quickly provide circuits for broadcasters who want to feed video signals elsewhere without waiting for a normal installation to be completed," Hickey said.

Since Verizon expects the demand for extra phone lines to continue through Tuesday, the company will have technicians standing by to meet last-minute needs. Hickey said the company has assigned a team of about 10 technicians and managers to focus solely on primary-related requests.

A Fortune 10 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, with approximately $67 billion in revenues. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with more than 139 million access line equivalents and 36 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is the third largest long-distance carrier for U.S. consumers, with nearly 16 million long-distance lines. The company is also the largest directory publisher in the world, as measured by directory titles and circulation. Verizon's international presence includes wireline and wireless communications operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.